When kids seem to like you and when they don't might be quite easy to know from their behavioral expression. The term "self-esteem" is often used to refer to the idea of feeling good about oneself.  A child with high self-esteem tends to feel admired and welcomed. They Feel assured and proud of their abilities and can also think positively of themselves, and have faith in themselves. While Children who lack self-esteem are hard on themself and often self-critical or do self-sabotage. They feel they aren't as good as other kids and tend to focus more on their failures than their successes. They lack confidence and also question their abilities. Seeking professional consultation or online counselling with the best child psychologists, often help in fostering self-confidence among children.

Importance of self-esteem

Children that have self-confidence are more open to trying new things. They are more inclined to give everything they have. They take pride in their skills, abilities, and values when given positive assurance. Children that are self-assured can tolerate failure in a better manner. Children are encouraged to try again even if they initially fail. Children who are more confident in themselves perform better in school, with others, and in their social lives.

Children who lack self-confidence doubt their abilities. They might not participate in society because they might feel others will not accept them. They could allow others to abuse them. They could find it challenging to speak for them. They may simply quit or stop trying completely. Children with poor self-esteem find it challenging to handle mistakes, failure, or loss. As a result, they might not perform as well as they could.

Signs & Symptoms of poor self-esteem

Young individuals & kids with poor self-esteem frequently:

• Have a poor opinion of themselves; they may believe they are dumb, unattractive, or unlikeable.

• Lack of assurance.

• Find it difficult to form and maintain friendships and may perceive others as victimizing them.

• Feel alone and alone.

• Tend to shy away from novelty and struggle with change.

• Negative Social Comparison.

• Problems Asking for What You Need.

• Worry and Self-Doubt.

• Trouble Accepting Positive Feedback.

• Negative Self-Talk.

• Fear of Failure. 

Strategies for Developing self-esteem in children

1. Shower unconditional love  

Your children's sense of security and belonging, which they acquire from knowing how much you love them, has a big impact on how they see themselves. Your unconditional consistent love lays the cornerstone for all the positive and enduring relationships they will have later in life. Give your kids hugs before you go, snuggle up and read a book together, and always show them how much you care. Your children will benefit from this foundation of love as they grow and form their own social networks, friendships, and connections with peers.

2. Playing together

Playing with your child communicates to them that you enjoy their company and you appreciate their time. It is often good to have funny acts with your child; it has many advantages for you both. Children not only gain confidence in their capacity to create strong social bonds and be exciting and engaging individuals, but studies have shown that when children engage in healthy play, their chances of happiness increase, and their risk of sadness and anxiety decreases.

3. Give some responsibilities to your child

Your child will feel successful and have a feeling of purpose if you give them age-appropriate duties. Even if they don't perform something right, let them know you still value their attempts. Acknowledge all of their achievements and reassure them that with time, they will become better at everything, even their chores.

4. Support Independence

When a youngster is in primary school, their independence is fast growing. Many kids often start spending time with themself at home, walking alone to school, and helping younger siblings by the time they are in middle school. Allowing your children to become more independent is important for growth. For instance, let them manage planning their schoolwork, making sure their football gear is prepared well, and approaching instructors with any concerns on their own.

5. Avoid Insulting Your Child.

When your child misbehaves or engages in any other undesirable activity, be sure to keep this behavior private from them. When your child tests your limits, you may unavoidably feel frustrated or even furious since you are a human.

6. Let them produce and display their works

Give your child permission to display their works throughout the house. Every time your child completes a piece of writing, a narrative, or a project for school, asks them to share it with you. As well as what they find most alluring and fascinating about the creation that they developed, ask them what they would like people to say or experience about it.

7. Watch out for their use of technology

Most people in today's society, including parents and students, are constantly connected to their electronics. People may text, post on social media, conduct business, complete schooling, and regularly check their email using their mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. At the time of Covid, this became more important. All this connectivity has both positive and negative aspects. It's beneficial since it allows people to work more efficiently and maintain social connections while being safe and secure in their own homes. But if it affects family communication and connections, internet participation can be costly also. Excessive screen time can have an impact on mental health as well as physical health.

8. Online Counseling with the best Psychologist at TalktoAngel

Children particularly may modify their behavior and how they see themself and other people by getting counseling to help them understand their feelings. As an integrative therapists, platform online therapists at TalktoAngel employ a number of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Applied Behaviour Analysis or Role Playing, and Modelling to build confidence and self-esteem.

Contribution: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, life coach & mentor TalktoAngel & Dr. Sakshi Kochhar, Psychologist